The guy was a jerk. I'm glad you stood up to him. I don't like confrontation so I usually don't go beyond a confused stare, as if to say, "WHY must you share these things so loudly on the public bus?", with a facial expression that suggests they're making kittens cry or something. It's mainly a volume issue. I've witnessed people having very polite, hushed phone conversations in public and I hardly batted an eye because they weren't imposing on anyone else. You were right on this one. Stand your ground!

you're in the right. Plus points for being proactive - my nasty glares usually don't accomplish anything (if you're rude enough to use the cell, then you are probably also oblivious to stares!)

also? I think you got a little lucky that he didn't call you on your threat. What would you have done had he taken a call?

Fuck that guy eight different ways. He's the dick and that's all there us to it.

Had he taken the call, I would have just tried to concentrate on working out. Frankly, I don't see much of a choice. What am I supposed to do, sing the Star Spangled Banner at the top of my lungs?

Duh, we know and like you. He's the jerk.

What you don't mention is why he realized that you might have had a problem in the first place. He is certainly a jerk for talking loudly on his cellphone in a small, quiet gym, particularly one populated entirely by his immediate neigbors, and you were right to call him on it. You, however, know v. well how I feel about the way to best handle these things... so how'd he know you were pissed?

Fyi, that's not an accusation or anything - I realize while looking at it that I'm implying that you did something rude - I'm not. Just curious about what led up to the argument being considered.

Not only is inappropriate cell phone usage bothersome for those in the vicinity of the offense, but it is super rude for whoever is on the other end of that call. They are unwillingly having a private conversation in a public and may not even no the jerk they are talking to is at the gym or grocery store or bank or well I could go on and on with inappropriate places for cell phone converstations. You get the point.

I'd been thinking about this and then, tonight, in my own apartment-building workout room, I noticed a sign, asking residents NOT to use cellphones while working out because it's inconsiderate of others.

I thought you were in the right, but I have a somewhat low tolerance for cellphone use that intrudes on my audio space, as it were. The sign I saw just proves that apartment building managers think so too. Maybe request a sign for your building?